Residential Property Conveyancing

A home is about safety and security. So it is important that any change - whether that is buying and selling a house or a flat, or altering the legal ownership of a property – is legally watertight. That is why it pays to be advised by an experienced property solicitor.

Chattertons has one of the largest teams of residential property solicitors in the region. We are accredited by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme that sets high standards for residential conveyancing practices, and we are proud of our strong reputation locally and further afield.

Having worked in the regional property market for many years, our team is well connected. Chattertons’ conveyancing solicitors have developed excellent working relationships with estate agents and mortgage lenders; something that really can help clients’ property transactions run smoothly.

Being a team of more than conveyancing solicitors, we can handle all sorts of residential property-related matters, including:

sales and purchases

investment properties

mortgages and remortgages

equity release

freehold family homes

gifts of property and transferring ownership

leases with and without a share of freehold

landlord and tenant matters

block and estate management

mixed use buildings

And in collaboration with colleagues in Chattertons’ Construction, Property Litigation, Tax, and Wealth Management teams we can offer clients seamless advice on any matter arising out of their property transaction.

We know that conveyancing is an unfamiliar process to most people. Even for seasoned property buyers and sellers, transactions can present new issues and legal complications. That is why we take care to work very closely with each client, taking as much pressure off you as possible, and keeping you updated on progress and on our efforts to overcome any complications.

It is important to us that we are in regular contact; that your questions are answered in a way that makes sense to you; and that you know what is happening on your transaction. This is the type of personal service that we would expect if we were in your shoes.

Clients often ask us......

How much do you charge for conveyancing?

Every transaction that we carry out, whether it is a sale or purchase, or a remortgage of a property, will be for a fixed conveyancing cost that we agree with you before we start the work. The amount will vary from case to case; some are more straightforward than others. But we promise a competitive rate, and to never bill more than you have agreed to pay.

You can contact one of our conveyancing solicitors at your local Chattertons office.

I have a house to sell, and a house to buy. How long will this all take?

Between one and three months is about average. That said, things can speed up, or slow down, depending on the type of transaction and the issues involved. Other buyers and sellers and your chain (if there is one) might be working at a different pace, or might hit some hurdles that throw their sale or purchase off track. It is important that your conveyancing solicitor keeps you updated on all of this.

Do I have to get a buyer's survey?

You don’t have to, but we would always advise it. That is because a survey could alert you to actual or potential problems with the property you are looking to buy. In some cases, buyers decide not to proceed with their purchase because of defects identified in surveys, so it really can make a difference.

Commission the most comprehensive survey you can afford (there are different types) taking account of the age and condition of the property and any issues that you ave spotted or which have been brought to your attention. And remember, a buyer’s survey is not the same as the valuation that your mortgage company will ask for; your lender will simply be interested in whether the house holds enough value for your mortgage to be granted, whereas you will want to understand exactly what you could be taking on.

I’m a first-time buyer looking to get on the property ladder. Is there any help available?

Yes, there are various schemes including Help to Buy ISAs, Shared Ownership, and Equity Loans. And, since Autumn 2017, Stamp Duty is not payable on first-time purchases where the property price is less than £300,000.

I’ve had an offer accepted on my dream house, but I am worried that the seller will change their mind. Can I do anything to stop this?

The short answer is: not really. There is nothing to prevent either party from pulling out of the sale or purchase up to the time at which contracts are exchanged, which is often quite some way down the line. Once exchange has happened, neither of you can withdraw from the sale or purchase without breaching the contract (and even that is not always enough of a disincentive). It is only once completion has taken place that the deal is finally done and both parties, and their conveyancing solicitors, can relax.